Last Modified: Friday, January 8, 2010 at 11:24 p.m.

The body of 39-year-old Albert Simon Jr., of Marksville, was found by Assumption Sheriff’s deputies at around 4:45 p.m.

The discovery came less 90 minutes after tugboat crew members notified authorities that someone had fallen overboard in the area of 166 Bayou Bouef Road in the Bayou L’Ourse community.

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Simon’s death.

Parts of Houma lose power

HOUMA — Power failed in parts of Houma Friday night after a transmission feeder was damaged at about 9 p.m.

Terrebonne Utilities Director Tom Bourg said the line powers the north Houma area. Though some locations experienced only brownouts, many remained without power an hour later.

Bourg said Friday that he did not know how long repairs might take.

Presque Isle Bridge to close again

HOUMA — The Presque Isle Bridge crossing Bayou Little Caillou on La. 24 will continue to be closed to traffic for part of next week.

The two-lane span will close to traffic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

The closure will allow Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development contractors to re-install drive shafts, couplings and pillow-block bearings required for the operation of the bridge.

The work, which began Monday, was initially scheduled to last a week. But putting the parts back together is taking longer than originally expected, partially because of wind and rain, said Keith Angelette, a state bridge-maintenance engineer.

Drivers should use the Prospect Street Bridge while the Presque Isle Bridge is closed.

For information, call the state Transportation Department’s local office at 858-2400.

Insurance check is Tuesday

THIBODAUX — Motorists in central Lafourche will be asked to produce proof of insurance as part of a checkpoint set for Tuesday.

Lafourche deputies will man the insurance and seat belt checkpoint from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Officials haven’t said exactly where they’ll stage the checkpoint.

Motorists unable to produce proof of insurance will have their license plates removed and could have their car impounded.

Reinstatement costs $50 for the first offense, $150 for the second and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.

Barbecue benefits kidney patient

HOUMA – Those hungry to help others can enjoy a barbecue meal while helping a man in need of a new kidney.

The family of Steve McCann Jr., a Houma native who lives in the New Orleans area, plans to hold a plate-lunch fundraiser for McCann beginning around 11 a.m. today at The Bar, also known as Frog’s Bar, 461 Grand Caillou Road, Houma.

The meals cost $5 each and include barbecue chicken, baked beans, potato salad and bread.

Proceeds from the meal will go to medical costs for the 29-year-old McCann, who is battling a kidney disease that continues to worsen, according to his mother, Diana Eskine of Gray. McCann is on dialysis and waiting for a kidney transplant.

He has a wife and three sons, ages 11 and 3 years and 1 month.

“We’re just trying to help him out,” Eskine said.

For information, call Diana Eskine at 991-3174 or Steve McCann Sr. at 856-5067.

<p class="bold allcaps">Tugboat worker drowns</p>
<p>THIBODAUX — A tugboat worker from Avoyelles Parish drowned Thursday afternoon in Assumption Parish after falling overboard, officials said.</p><p>The body of 39-year-old Albert Simon Jr., of Marksville, was found by Assumption Sheriff's deputies at around 4:45 p.m. </p><p>The discovery came less 90 minutes after tugboat crew members notified authorities that someone had fallen overboard in the area of 166 Bayou Bouef Road in the Bayou L'Ourse community.</p><p>The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Simon's death.</p><h3>Parts of Houma lose power</h3>
<p>HOUMA — Power failed in parts of Houma Friday night after a transmission feeder was damaged at about 9 p.m.</p><p>Terrebonne Utilities Director Tom Bourg said the line powers the north Houma area. Though some locations experienced only brownouts, many remained without power an hour later.</p><p>Bourg said Friday that he did not know how long repairs might take.</p><h3>Presque Isle Bridge to close again</h3>
<p>HOUMA — The Presque Isle Bridge crossing Bayou Little Caillou on La. 24 will continue to be closed to traffic for part of next week. </p><p>The two-lane span will close to traffic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.</p><p>The closure will allow Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development contractors to re-install drive shafts, couplings and pillow-block bearings required for the operation of the bridge.</p><p>The work, which began Monday, was initially scheduled to last a week. But putting the parts back together is taking longer than originally expected, partially because of wind and rain, said Keith Angelette, a state bridge-maintenance engineer.</p><p>Drivers should use the Prospect Street Bridge while the Presque Isle Bridge is closed.</p><p>For information, call the state Transportation Department's local office at 858-2400.</p><h3>Insurance check is Tuesday</h3>
<p>THIBODAUX — Motorists in central Lafourche will be asked to produce proof of insurance as part of a checkpoint set for Tuesday.</p><p>Lafourche deputies will man the insurance and seat belt checkpoint from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.</p><p>Officials haven't said exactly where they'll stage the checkpoint.</p><p>Motorists unable to produce proof of insurance will have their license plates removed and could have their car impounded.</p><p>Reinstatement costs $50 for the first offense, $150 for the second and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.</p><h3>Barbecue benefits kidney patient</h3>
<p>HOUMA – Those hungry to help others can enjoy a barbecue meal while helping a man in need of a new kidney. </p><p>The family of Steve McCann Jr., a Houma native who lives in the New Orleans area, plans to hold a plate-lunch fundraiser for McCann beginning around 11 a.m. today at The Bar, also known as Frog's Bar, 461 Grand Caillou Road, Houma. </p><p>The meals cost $5 each and include barbecue chicken, baked beans, potato salad and bread. </p><p>Proceeds from the meal will go to medical costs for the 29-year-old McCann, who is battling a kidney disease that continues to worsen, according to his mother, Diana Eskine of Gray. McCann is on dialysis and waiting for a kidney transplant.</p><p>He has a wife and three sons, ages 11 and 3 years and 1 month.</p><p>“We're just trying to help him out,” Eskine said.</p><p>For information, call Diana Eskine at 991-3174 or Steve McCann Sr. at 856-5067.</p>